Cellise’s Quarantime!

Hi guys! My name is Cellise Brown and I am a second year BFA Dance Studies Major here at UT! I remember coming into this semester full of excitement ready to not have a heavy boot latched on my foot, but most importantly ready to dance and perform with all of my amazing friends again! I was determined to take advantage of every opportunity I was lucky enough to gain and take none of the time for granted. The start of this semester gave me the chance to choreograph for S.E.E.D for the first time and dance as Orpheus in the collaborative process with dancers and the Butler School of Music. I also was selected to be in two choreo 2 beginning works, while also learning so much from Emily Tolsons DRT process. I was so thrilled for everything I was putting all my hard work into to be seen! As I soon started to sense that everything I was so excited about could possibly be put to an abrupt stop, I began to be filled with a wave of sadness and disappointment.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't upset that everything isn't the same, but what COVID-19 has done for me, has given me the chance to look back and appreciate the process of everything, which in turn showed me that the journey can sometimes be more impactful than the product! I have been able to look back fondly and recognize all the amazing memories I made, the accomplishments I achieved, the fears I overcame, and the overall growth of myself and my peers in one shortened spring semester.

So during this time, I have been finding joy in things that I didn't get a chance to do at school. I have started taking my dog Henry on runs to get us both out of the house. At first I was running on my own, but eventually he started to realize where I was going and would wait for me every morning by the front door (adorable, I know). I have also started working on improving much more, which has been a welcomed change. Videotaping myself improving has made me more comfortable with watching myself dance, and has helped my creative process form in a different way than I was cultivating at school. This time at home has allowed me to find my movement aesthetic, because I have been truly able to focus on myself and really embrace the “dance like nobody's watching” mentality.

I also love being able to spend quality time with my family while being home. Not having to make my dinner every night has been a pretty nice perk as well (thanks Mom)! But most of all I feel so fortunate enough to have this time to rest and heal my ankle so it can be back to its original strength.

I absolutely cannot wait to be back with the amazing staff that is working tirelessly to help us make the most of every moment during this time of distance learning, and to be back dancing with all my friends in person again!